MARK DREYFUS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
TIME'S UP FOR AN INDEPENDENT, TRANSPARENT AND EFFECTIVE NATIONAL INTEGRITY COMMISSION
Time is now up for Australia to have an independent, transparent and effective national integrity commission.
Federal Labor led by Anthony Albanese is committed to tackling corruption and restoring integrity and trust in the federal government and we are committed to the establishment of a national integrity commission.
Unlike the Morrison Government, Labor believes tackling corruption and promoting integrity is essential to restoring public trust in government and has today committed to introducing a national integrity commission.
Last term, the Liberal Government voted against a royal commission into banking scandals 26 times. Despite clear public support, they had to be dragged into agreeing to that inquiry, kicking and screaming all the way. They are now doing the same thing with a national integrity commission, despite overwhelming public support for such a body from the Australian people.
Just this week the Morrison Government again proved it is not serious about integrity or tackling corruption in the federal government.
Government senators voted against legislation establishing a national integrity commission, but were left isolated with the motion passing 35-32.
It has now been nine months since the Prime Minister and Attorney-General announced on 13 December 2018 they would establish a Commonwealth Integrity Commission.
Its been 20 months since the Government claims it started working on a Commonwealth Integrity Commission.
But the Governments legislative agenda makes no mention of an integrity commission, making clear it has no intention of bringing legislation before the parliament this year, if ever.
Given the scandals which continue to rock this tired third-term government, its clear why the Prime Minister and Attorney-General are not in the least bit interested in integrity.
Labor's policy would create a national integrity commission with all the powers, independence and resources of a standing royal commission.
A government serious about tackling corruption would be picking up Labor's plan and bringing legislation before the Parliament.
WEDNESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2019
